The Madison Historical Society will host a Summer Festival of Arts and Antiques on Saturday, August 26 from 9 AM to 4 PM. By creating a festival atmosphere with a variety of engaging summertime activities, the MHS hopes to offer something of interest to everyone.
This end-of-summer celebration of art, antiques, handmade crafts, and family fun will feature vendors of fine antiques and collectibles from across the region, selling ceramics, furniture, glass, jewelry, kitchenware, linens, memorabilia, pottery, toys, vintage accessories, and more.
Additionally, an art exhibition and sale will be mounted by members of the Madison Art Society. The showcase of original artworks will feature a variety of media, including oils, watercolors, acrylics, pastels, and drawings.
The craft sale will feature original creations by modern makers who will display their works in clay, leather, metal, jewelry, objects for the home, clothing, printmaking, foods, and soap.
Live demonstrations by traditional crafters will include the production of hand-carved spoons, lathe-turned bowls, and bookbinding. Native American crafters will exhibit a variety of items used or worn by First Peoples in the eighteenth century; among these items will be knives, wampum, necklaces, spoons, baskets, and hand-carved trenchers. Crafters will sell their wares and also offer instruction on these pre-industrial trades.
No summer festival would be complete without family-friendly activities. For children and the young at heart, the Madison Historical Society will offer colonial games, a dunk tank, life-size Jenga, Connect Four, and Clown Strike games, face painting, henna tattoos, and hands-on craft sessions.
Ranger Russ of the Meigs Point Nature Center will offer live animal experiences with a focus on some of Connecticut's amphibians and other native creatures. Live musical performances and a delicious menu of fair foods and sweet treats round out the offerings.